In August, when osmanthus flowers are in full bloom, they exude a charming fragrance and become one of the representatives of this season. In the hometown, the cultivation of osmanthus has always been a popular choice for the villagers, whether it is in the courtyard or in the wasteland on the mountain, it is full of fragrance embellished by the figure of osmanthus. However, have you ever noticed that despite the blooming osmanthus flowers, it is rare to see bees collecting nectar around them?
Although the osmanthus flower is full of fragrance, it rarely attracts bees to collect nectar, which is in stark contrast to other flowering plants. At first hearing, it may be hard to believe, but when the pen writer personally visited the osmanthus tree on the mountain, he did find this phenomenon. Why is the fragrance of osmanthus not enough to attract bees?
After the plant blooms, pollination is usually required in order to bear fruit. In nature, insects are one of the most common pollinators, among which bees are the most typical. However, not all plants rely on insect pollination, and some can rely on wind to spread. Osmanthus falls into the latter category. Although the flowers of osmanthus are fragrant, they are unusually small and have very little nectar. For bees, the attraction is not great, as the amount of nectar is a key factor when bees choose their nectar source. Therefore, the scarcity of nectar in osmanthus has become one of the reasons why bees avoid it.
Osmanthus usually blooms in late autumn, when the temperature is already relatively low. In order to survive the winter, bees need to find adequate food reserves. At this time, although the osmanthus is in full bloom, it cannot provide enough nectar, because the amount of nectar is already limited and not enough to meet the needs of the bees. Therefore, bees tend to choose other sources of nectar that are more abundant than collecting nectar from osmanthus flowers.
However, the market is flooded with all kinds of osmanthus nectar products. Why is that?In fact, there is a common misconception here, that is, osmanthus nectar does not refer to the nectar of the osmanthus tree, but a kind of nectar called the "wild osmanthus tree". Wild osmanthus trees, also known as Cinnamomum chinensis, are distributed in the south of the Yangtze River in China, such as Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan, Guangxi and other provinces. Wild osmanthus trees bloom in winter, with a short flowering period and a difficult growing environment, making it relatively inconvenient for bees to collect. However, its flowers are also fragrant and of good nectar quality, so it is known as the "King of Honey" and "King of Honey". Osmanthus nectar is brewed from the nectar of the wild osmanthus tree, and its preciousness is also explained.
Now, we have a clearer understanding of the causes of osmanthus nectar. Although the osmanthus is fragrant, it is not an ideal place for bees to collect honey because its nectar is scarce and cannot meet the needs of bees. The osmanthus nectar on the market is actually made from the nectar of the wild osmanthus tree, and the difficulty and scarcity of collecting it make it an extremely valuable source of winter honey. By unraveling the subtle relationship between osmanthus and bees, we can better appreciate the wonders of nature.
Although the aromas that come to your nose when they bloom in August are intoxicating, they are not a favorite honey gathering destination for bees. In order to understand this phenomenon, we first studied the characteristics of osmanthus flowers, and found that the amount of nectar is very small, and the flowers are small, which is difficult to meet the needs of bees for nectar sources. This makes osmanthus lose its attractiveness in the eyes of bees and become an "unpopular choice" on their honey collection list.
Although osmanthus is not an ideal place for bees to collect honey, the market is flooded with various osmanthus nectar products. This raises questions about the true ** of osmanthus nectar. We have revealed the truth of this mystery, which is that osmanthus nectar actually comes from a plant known as the "wild osmanthus tree". The wild osmanthus tree, whose scientific name is Cinnamomum chinensis, blooms in winter, has a short flowering period and a harsh growth environment, making it relatively inconvenient for bees to collect. However, its flowers are fragrant and of excellent nectar quality, making them a precious source of winter nectar for bees and humans alike.
By revealing these subtle and complex relationships, we gain a deeper understanding of the understanding between life in nature. This subtle interaction between osmanthus and bees is not only a small episode in the ecosystem, but also a testimony to the miracle of life in which species adapt to the environment and depend on each other. It also fills us with a sense of awe for the wonders of the natural world.
While we have an in-depth understanding of the wonderful relationship between osmanthus and bees, we also cherish the unique value of osmanthus nectar. This kind of honey brewed from the nectar of the wild osmanthus tree not only has high edible value, but also is regarded as a "tribute honey" to the royal family in ancient times, and has become a delicious product for nobles and dignitaries. The preciousness of osmanthus nectar is not only because of its scarcity, but also because of the subtle laws of natural ecology behind it.
Therefore, when we taste the sweetness of osmanthus nectar, we may be able to appreciate the gifts given to us by nature even more. This gift is not only the deliciousness of food, but also a deep reflection on the tacit cooperation between lives. May we be more mindful of the subtleties around us in our daily lives, so that we can better live in harmony with nature. The wonderful relationship between osmanthus and bees makes us think more deeply about the delicate design of the ecosystem, and also opens up new perspectives for us to explore the beauty of nature.